1
as in seduces
to lead away from a usual or proper course by offering some pleasure or advantage
that chocolate dessert sure tempts me, but I should stick with my diet
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risks
to take a chance on
refusing to lay in enough food for the long winter tempts the dangers of starvation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tempts
An untrustworthy future tempts us to either disengage, retreat into cynicism, or live angry.
—
Phillip Halpern, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
In Indiana, Paoli Peaks features the Arctic Blast Tubing Park, and Perfect North Slopes tempts with 25 tubing lanes (as well as skiing and snowboarding).
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
This year’s offer tempts travelers with fares starting at just $199, up to $1,000 in onboard credit to elevate every moment spent at sea, and select sailings where children sail free.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Dec. 2025
Unwind Along the Coast Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa, tempts with spice tours, rooftop cocktails, and sunset dhow sails.
—Karin Jones, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2025
The device contains, among other things, doorways to other dimensions, including one that tempts Peacemaker with a seemingly storybook version of his broken family.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
Perhaps the thought of no more disappointment tempts you.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 5 Aug. 2025
Phillip Halpern, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
In Indiana, Paoli Peaks features the Arctic Blast Tubing Park, and Perfect North Slopes tempts with 25 tubing lanes (as well as skiing and snowboarding).
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
This year’s offer tempts travelers with fares starting at just $199, up to $1,000 in onboard credit to elevate every moment spent at sea, and select sailings where children sail free.
—Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Dec. 2025
Unwind Along the Coast Zanzibar, a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa, tempts with spice tours, rooftop cocktails, and sunset dhow sails.
—Karin Jones, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2025
The device contains, among other things, doorways to other dimensions, including one that tempts Peacemaker with a seemingly storybook version of his broken family.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 22 Aug. 2025
Perhaps the thought of no more disappointment tempts you.
—Shai Tubali, Big Think, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tempts
Verb
-
The victim of his sacrifice is Gretchen, a virgin whom Faust seduces and abandons in his devilish reverie, and who kills their illegitimate child.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
-
The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The failure to do so has only cheapened our nation and risks our future as a beacon for the world.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Its recommendations largely ignore the four fundamental flaws and instead propose a strong mayor system that risks dragging Oakland back to the corruption and special interest dealings that made Tammany Hall famous.—
Steven Falk,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Your starter entices with a spicy-tangy flavor, leading into the classic roasted chicken entree.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While Summer most likely has tonnes of toys and a dog bed, there’s something about cardboard boxes that entices pets.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
With a tone that's equally anxious and lovesick, the British singer confronts domestic bliss and finds her stride.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
What to do about the crisis that sociology confronts?—
Wendy Nelson Espeland,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Today, another kind of treasure typically lures travelers to Franklin, though, one found among the trails, waterfalls, and scenic byways of the community.—
Trudy Haywood Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2026
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The film frankly depicts the extreme sub-dom relationship that Erika lures Elliot into, peppered with Araki’s trademark playful-surrealism while committed to a certain, refreshing explicitness.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Most of the passengers are content to wait for the driver to figure things out, but Folarin persuades a passing truck driver to take him and his sons the rest of the way.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Capability alone no longer persuades buyers who now want proof of systems that work quietly in the background while results take the center stage.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The silliness betrays the seriousness.—
J. Aaron Sanders,
STAT,
4 Feb. 2026
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What has unfolded in Minneapolis this past month betrays our most basic values as Americans.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tempts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tempts. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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